Seasonal Influenza Activity Begins to Decrease, But Remains Elevated Nationally
With the disease burden remaining high, CVS Health announces new flu testing and treatment capabilities at approximately 1600 locations in selected states.
Seasonal influenza activity has begun to decrease in the United States, but data from the CDC indicates it has been one of the worst flu seasons in decades. As of February 1, 2025, the clinical lab tests reporting positive influenza infections were up 31.6%, with the predominant viruses being influenzas A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2). As of February 22, 2025, the trend for positive influenza decreased to 24.5%, with the same strains being the most common. Although it is declining, the flu rates remain elevated nationally.1
This season has been classified as a high severity season overall and is the first high severity season since 2017 to 2018. | Image Credit: Dr_Microbe | stock.adobe.com
CVS Health recently announced new flu testing and treatment capabilities at approximately 1600 locations in selected states. For participating locations, pharmacies will be using a 3-in-1 combo test for patients with flu-like symptoms, which will include influenza A, influenza B, and COVID-19. In California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, pharmacists can test and treat both COVID-19 and flu in 1 appointment. The test will cost $29.99, and the pharmacist assessment will cost $45, regardless of whether medication was prescribed.2
“Timely access to care and treatment is critical with illnesses like influenza and COVID-19,” Jinali Desai, PharmD, MBA, MPH, vice president of pharmacy health services for CVS Health, said in a news release.2 “CVS Pharmacy’s array of testing and treatment options allows us to be with our patients every step of the way. From immunizations to symptom evaluation to prescribing medications for those who are eligible, our trusted pharmacists offer convenient and accessible care when patients need us most.”
This season has been classified as a high severity season overall and is the first high severity season since 2017 to 2018, according to the CDC. During week 8 of the respiratory season, investigators from the CDC reported 2825 viruses, with 2712 being influenza B and 113 being influenza B. For outpatients, the levels remain above baseline for the thirteenth consecutive week but are declining. In the season so far, there have been an estimated 37 million illnesses, 480,000 hospitalizations, and 21,000 deaths from influenza.1
According to the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, the cumulative hospitalization rate for week 8 is the highest since the 2010 to 2011 season at 99.6 per 100,000 patients. As of February 22, 2025, there were 36,555 patients admitted to the hospital with influenza for 1 week, and 2.8% of deaths were attributed to influenza for the corresponding week. There have been a total of 98 pediatric deaths this year so far.1
Prevention remains key to keeping rates of influenza low, and immunization is critical. Approximately 45.8% of children and 45.2% of adults have been vaccinated against the flu this season. It is recommended that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccination every season, but it is especially important for individuals who are at higher risk of serious complications from flu.3
The preliminary 2024 to 2025 US flu season disease burden estimates include 33 to 56 million flu illnesses, 430,000 to 910,000 flu hospitalizations, and 19,000 to 92,000 flu deaths, based on data from October 1, 2024, through February 15, 2025, according to the CDC.4
READ MORE: Influenza Resource Center
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